Satnav users follow instructions against better judgement

Over a quarter of Satnav users continue to follow instructions which take drivers down unsuitable country lanes, according to a survey by rural insurer NFU Mutual.

Concerned about continuing high levels of accidents on rural roads - Government statistics show that car users are three times more likely to die on a country road than an urban one -the rural insurer is urging all rural road users to take special care as tourist traffic and harvesting both get underway.

The survey reveals that while 91% of people correctly think that rural roads are the least safe to drive on, 35% of people admit to not driving more slowly on them.

Other information revealed by the survey includes:

Satnavs

Over a quarter of drivers using Satnavs admit to following its instructions even if it appears to be sending them the wrong way or into a narrow lane. This rises to almost half of 18 to 24 year olds

Speed and safety

Only 7% of men and 11% of women think rural roads are the safest to drive on
8% of men and 4% of women drive faster on rural roads
15% of drivers between 18 and 24 drive faster on rural roads

Courtesy

83% thank drivers who pull over to let them pass
93% slow down for horses
89% approach bends and dips with extreme caution

"The survey shows that there is still an alarming lack of knowledge about the hazards of rural roads," says Ian Jewitt, of NFU Mutual Risk Management Services.

"It's particularly worrying that a quarter of Satnav users continue to follow the gadget's instructions even when their eyes tell them they are heading up a farm track. This may account for some of the reports of vehicles stuck in fields and deep fords."

He explained that once schools have broken up, extra traffic heads for the countryside just at the time when harvesting is getting underway and large numbers of tractors are likely to be on country roads

An alarming number of the most serious accidents on rural roads involve farm vehicles coming into collision with fast moving cars, lorries and motorcycles. Many of these accidents are the result of human error, often due to lack of concentration by drivers, undue speed or faulty equipment such as indicator lights which are obscured or not working.

"A common cause of accidents occurs when tractors slow down before turning right and impatient following drivers tend to try and overtake without realising that the tractor is about to move across the road.

NFU Mutual Rural Road Safety Code

Cars, lorries and motorcycles

Be patient when driving behind tractors; they are rarely travelling long distances and pull in regularly to let following vehicles overtake

Be prepared for tractors to turn into fields and farmyards and other less obvious turnings

Remember that when turning right a tractor with a trailer will pull over to the left first in order to negotiate the turn

Indicate clearly and well in advance of trying to overtake

Slow down when bends, bridges or other features obstruct the view ahead

Tractors

Make sure the road is clear ahead and behind before turning

Signal clearly well in advance of slowing down or moving to the right

Repair broken and defective lights and indicators

Make sure cab glass, mirrors and lights are clean and free from obstructions

Check that trailers and mounted implements are well lit at night